Don’t you just love Christmas lights? As an apartment dweller, decking the yard with lights isn’t an option, so instead my living room is almost as bright as day in the evening with all the strings of lights. They’re the next best thing to sitting beside a flickering fireplace. Check out all the new growth on my little potted Christmas tree. It’s growing fast! The angel on the top of the tree was tatted by my great grandmother—the same one who made these doilies. She made everyone in the family either a boy or girl angel. My father insisted his angel needed pants, so she created the pattern just for him. Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

In lieu of a project this week, I’m posting some photos I took during one of my walks around the neighborhood. It was an idea inspired by sfgirlbybay. Instead of beautiful, transporting images (I’m not the photographer Victoria is), I shot items that I like. And I found sources to buy a couple of them!

I have a thing for train station clocks. This one is located outside of a restaurant I have yet to try. The pig adds a little whimsy, don’t you think?

I saw this shelf/table/cart on display in a local shop (photographed with permission). Fabulous design.

I am IN LOVE with this stainless steel mailbox. If I were a homeowner, I would buy one right now. It’s made by Ecco Products, and you can buy it at The Mailbox Works.

I kick myself that I didn’t buy one of these ceramic owl umbrella stands before Urban Outfitters sold out. They’re made by Two’s Company, and you can buy one at BurkeDecor.com or MadisonAveGifts.com. Read more »

I’ve been graciously nominated for The Lemonade Award three times! I thought it was high time I shared the love too. Many thanks to Stephanie at Confessions of a Compulsive Crafter, Tina at A Few Pretty Things, and Zoe at Conversation Pieces for nominating me. I’m honored to be in such great company!

The Lemonade Award is for bloggers who show great “attitude and gratitude.” Upon receiving The Lemonade Award, you’re supposed to pass it on to 10 fellow bloggers. The choice is difficult because there are so many great blogs out there (which is why I procrastinated passing it along)! Here are my nominees in random order (this is a far cry from an exhaustive list of my favs):

Create Studio
Baca Creative
the long thread
Centsational Girl
Brabourne Farm
the life and times of sticks and bricks
Dollar Store Crafts
Crafty Storage
U create
Making it Lovely

For the winners, here’s what you do:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude.
3. Link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

I’m trying a new email newsletter service. Please let me know what you think of it. (The first mailing should arrive Friday morning.) If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can do so right here. If you’re already subscribed, you don’t need to do anything. However, if you signed up anonymously, I was not able to transfer you to the new service, so you will need to sign up again. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks for your patience while I figure this out.

I resisted doing this for long enough. As you may have already noticed, I’m now on Twitter. Feel free to follow along! I can’t promise to be interesting all the time, but I will include some behind-the-scenes info, fab finds, and hints about future posts. And talk about chocolate. And maybe throw in some Stargate references. I can’t help myself.

I’m selling some of my old projects to make room for (and generate funds for) new projects. So far I have just a few items listed on Craigslist, for those who live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Smaller items will be listed on Etsy soon. Click on the “For sale” link above or click here to see what’s for sale. More to come, so check back often. Thanks in advance for your support of Craftynest!

UPDATE: Sorry, no items have been listed for sale for quite some time. I will let you know when new items have been listed. No need to check the links above.

For those of you who know me, you know it has taken nothing short of a miracle to start this blog. Many thanks to all my supporters! I’m excited to get blogging. Please be patient while I work out all the kinks. If you don’t know me, check out my about page or click here to see some of my past work. And please come back every week!